Reform has a new leader in Wales, but it was far from a unanimous choice. I understand that there was a vote for either Helen Jenner or Jason O'Connell among Reform Senedd Members. In the end Ms Jenner won with 17 votes to Mr O'Connell's 15.
Will Hayward - Wales Journo
@willhaycardiff.bsky.social
Multi-award winning journalist and author based in Cardiff. I conduct investigative journalism and help people better understand Wales/Cymru. You sign up to my newsletter here: willhaywardwales.substack.com Columnist at The Guardian.
Nigel Farage's favourability rating in Wales has plummeted according to the latest polls. Andy Burnham and Rhun ap Iorwerth are the only leaders have more people who think they are "doing well" compared to "doing badly". Full breakdown: willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/grim-polli...
Grim polling for Farage
Plus should Plaid get into bed with the SNP and Sinn Féin?
willhaywardwales.substack.com
I understand Nigel Farage will be in south Wales early next week. To announce the new Reform leader in the Senedd perhaps…?
A Reform Member of the Welsh Parliament has spoken in defence of colonialism. Joe Martin is the MS for Caerdydd Penarth. It was just a day after Reform's leader in Wales Dan Thomas resigned after being arrested and bailed on suspicion of assault and coercive or controlling behaviour.
The leader of Reform UK in Wales has stepped down as leader following being arrested on suspicion of assault and engaging and controlling/coercive behaviour. He denies any wrongdoing. This is a developing story. Subscribe to the newsletter for full details.
So it seems that Reform's leader in Wales Dan Thomas will not be attending First Minister's Questions after the summer recess. Mr Thomas is leader of the opposition and this is the first FMQs since the summer recess.
Do people in Wales actually want independence? Yesterday the First Minister's of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland signed an agreement and demanded changes to how the UK is set up. Let's breakdown the latest polling to try and understand the issue of Welsh independence and who wants it.
At the Welsh Gov offices in Cardiff for the press conference of First Ministers of Wales and Scotland Rhun ap Iorwerth and John Swinney. Full breakdown in newsletter
My latest newsletter: - Explore what happens to Reform in Wales if Farage is no longer leader… - A decision facing the Welsh Gov about a major infrastructure project. - A new Welsh independence poll that should be a real concern for unionists. willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/what-happe...
What happens to Reform in Wales if Farage goes?
Plus the Welsh Gov has a decision to make and there is new polling on Welsh independence
willhaywardwales.substack.com
Odds on this being "for the people of Clacton to decide"?
This would never have happened under Count Binface.
A friend and I have launched a new media company for Wales providing local news. Fully details here: willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/what-comes...
What comes next…
Our plans for the future
willhaywardwales.substack.com
Rhaid i bawb ddarllen y llyfr hwn i ddeall problemau niferus Cymru. Mae'n fy atgoffa o lyfrau tebyg a gyhoeddwyd yng Nghatalwnia i wneud pobl yn ymwybodol bod newid yn frys a bod cyfrifoldeb y Cymry a'r Catalaniaid i'w wneud! ‘What About Wales’ gan @willhaycardiff.bsky.social @ylolfa.bsky.social
Migration is effecting Wales, but it’s not people on small boats… willhaywardwales.substack.com/p/wales-real...
Wales’ real immigration crisis
Cymru does have some challenges with people moving here – but it’s not who you think
willhaywardwales.substack.com
Wales has a new Secretary of State. But should that job even exist?
First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has had his first call with new Prime Minister Andy Burnham:
New Sec of State for Wales. Stephen Kinnock has been appointed to replace Jo Stevens.
2.5 months after being elected, Reform Senedd Member James Evans announces he will not be standing again in 3 years and 9 months time... "As things stand today"
Spot on from @willhaycardiff.bsky.social in ‘Who Cares About Wales?’ I’d say you can extend the argument UK-wide. So many people in Government, HE, and wider society have lost sight of what Universities are and should be in a political-economy.
@willhaycardiff.bsky.social reflecting on what Wales need to make devolution work properly. And drawing lessons for the (quite different) regional/city region ‘devolution deals’ on which Burnham is hanging the UK Labour govt’s hopes. Essential reading! www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In Wales, I've seen what happens when devolution isn't done right. Here's what Andy Burnham must know | Will Hayward
In my country, devolution has been the equivalent of giving someone a new electric car without the capacity to charge it. That can’t be the model for the whole UK, says Guardian columnist Will Hayward
theguardian.com
My latest Guardian piece. "We need to learn the lessons from the devolution that has gone before. To do anything less would be to squander one of those rare occasions when our arcane and tradition-filled political system seems open to change" www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
In Wales, I've seen what happens when devolution isn't done right. Here's what Andy Burnham must know | Will Hayward
In my country, devolution has been the equivalent of giving someone a new electric car without the capacity to charge it. That can’t be the model for the whole UK, says Guardian columnist Will Hayward
theguardian.com
Labour won't be supporting Plaid's budget today. They are calling on Plaid to withdraw it, make changes and bring it back in the summer. I understand the Greens plan to support the budget but without Labour support as well it will fail.
Will Hayward: 'Bod yn Sais yn helpu wrth ohebu am Gymru' www.bbc.co.uk/cymrufyw/ert... Cyfweliad diddorol efo @willhaycardiff.bsky.social Diolch o galon iddo am ei holl waith!!
Will Hayward: 'Bod yn Sais yn helpu wrth ohebu am Gymru'
Y gohebydd sy'n sôn am sut wnaeth e gwympo mewn cariad gyda Chymru a pham fod ei hunaniaeth fel Sais yn ei helpu i ddeall y wlad.
bbc.co.uk
From @willhaycardiff.bsky.social ‘s newsletter: Cai Parry-Jones (29-30), Reform MS from Ynys Môn, owns shares worth £38K in Phillips 66, an American multinational energy company headquartered in Houston, Texas - 13 refineries, capacity to produce 2.2 million barrels of net crude oil per day. 😮